美公司推出可自助收購舊手機(jī)的終端設(shè)備
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????或許你的書桌抽屜里藏著一部舊的iPhone 2,，或許你的《吉他英雄》游戲手柄旁放著一款舊的黑莓（BlackBerry）手機(jī)。你知道嗎,，EcoATM公司愿意出錢買它們買下來,。 ????EcoATM是一家位于圣地亞哥的公司，通過他們經(jīng)營的終端ATM機(jī),，用戶可以用舊的移動(dòng)設(shè)備來換取現(xiàn)金,、商店信用卡或禮品卡（取決于終端機(jī)的具體類型）。然后,，這些移動(dòng)設(shè)備要么被轉(zhuǎn)賣到翻新市場,，要么以環(huán)保的方式被回收。 ????具體過程是這樣的：用戶走到一臺(tái)終端機(jī)前,，將自己的移動(dòng)設(shè)備放入終端機(jī),。終端機(jī)拍一張?jiān)撘苿?dòng)設(shè)備的照片，并使用人工智能軟件,，確定移動(dòng)設(shè)備的構(gòu)造,、型號(hào)和基本狀況。然后,，它向用戶給出一個(gè)可能的價(jià)格區(qū)間,。如果用戶接受該價(jià)格區(qū)間，他們就將該設(shè)備取出,，將其接上終端機(jī)的一根電纜,，該電纜能確定充電能力和液晶顯示屏活性等內(nèi)部狀況。這時(shí)軟件便能確定移動(dòng)設(shè)備的市場價(jià)值,，并向用戶給出最終價(jià)格,。 ????如果用戶選擇接受，那么將獲得回報(bào)——通常是商店信用卡或是現(xiàn)金,。EcoATM公司隨后從這些終端中將手機(jī)回收并進(jìn)行處理,。四分之三的手機(jī)將繼續(xù)其手機(jī)使命，而其它手機(jī)則將被送入回收站,。 ????當(dāng)被問及用戶需要多長時(shí)間才能完成手機(jī)回收時(shí),，EcoATM首席執(zhí)行官湯姆?圖利表示，“我只需要大約90秒,。不過這是因?yàn)槲仪宄聊簧厦恳徊蕉紩?huì)問我哪些問題,。如果是新手，可能需要幾分鐘吧?！?/p> ????換句話說,，EcoATM就是手機(jī)界的硬幣之星（Coinstar，美國許多超市里都有這種外形類似ATM機(jī)的設(shè)備,，能讓顧客自助把硬幣換成現(xiàn)金或禮品卡——編者注）,。事實(shí)上，硬幣之星公司正是EcoATM的投資者之一,。 ????EcoATM在去年初進(jìn)行了總數(shù)為1440萬美元的A輪融資，不久前,，它又成功進(jìn)行了總數(shù)為1700萬美元的B輪融資,，具體消息已在5月1日上午公布。硬幣之星公司參與了這兩輪融資,。 ????在B輪融資中新加入的投資者包括PI Holdings,、Moore Venture Partners、AKS Capital和新加坡億萬富翁徐文暉,。除了硬幣之星外,，Claremont Creek Ventures和TAO Ventures兩家風(fēng)投也是EcoATM的回報(bào)支持者。本輪募集的資金將被用于制造和分發(fā)更多的終端機(jī),，特別是在商場地帶,；以及建設(shè)EcoATM的基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施（及維護(hù)工作等）。 ????圖利拒絕對(duì)公司估值進(jìn)行置評(píng),。 ????迄今為止,，EcoATM已經(jīng)處理了25萬到30萬部手機(jī)。其中最多的是蘋果公司（Apple）的產(chǎn)品,，其回收價(jià)值最高,。其次是RIM公司的手機(jī)，再次是Android設(shè)備,。 ????圖利表示：“我認(rèn)為人們對(duì)于蘋果的產(chǎn)品有一種傾向性,，即希望更快升級(jí)到下一款產(chǎn)品，不過Android現(xiàn)在來勢(shì)洶洶,?！?/p> ????譯者：項(xiàng)航 |
????You know that old iPhone 2 that's sitting in your desk drawer, or maybe an old Blackberry (gasp!) that got stored alongside your Guitar Hero peripherals? Well, EcoATM wants them, and is willing to pay. ????The San Diego-based company operates a network of kiosks that allow users to trade in old mobile devices for cash, in-store credit or gift cards (depending on the specific kiosk). The devices then are either resold to the refurbishing market, or recycled in an environmentally-responsible manner. ????Here's how it works: A user walks up to one of the kiosks, and places their device inside. The kiosk then takes a photo of the device, and uses artificial intelligence software to identify the make, model and basic physical condition. It then gives the user a possible price range. If the user accepts, they then get their device back and plug it into a kiosk cable that determines internal conditions like charging ability and LCD activity. At that point, the software ascertains market value and presents the user with a final price. ????If the user accepts, they receive compensation -- usually in-store credit, or cash in mall locations -- and EcoATM comes by the kiosk to pick up the device and send it on its way. Seventy-five percent of the devices continue life as a phone, while the remainder are sent to recycling facilities. ????"I can do it in around 90 seconds," says EcoATM CEO Tom Tullie, when asked how long the user experience takes. "But that's because I know what each screen is going to ask me. It probably takes a new user a few minutes." ????In other words, it's Coinstar for cell phones. And, not surprisingly, Coinstar Inc. (CSTR) is an investor. ????The company participated in EcoATM's $14.4 million Series A round early last year, and also in a new $17 million Series B round being announced this morning. ????New investors on the round include PI Holdings, Moore Venture Partners, AKS Capital and Singapore billionaire Koh Boon Hwee. In addition to Coinstar, return backers include Claremont Creek Ventures and TAO Ventures. Proceeds will be used to build and distribute more kiosks, particularly in mall settings, and also to build out the company's infrastructure (maintenance, etc.). ????Tullie declined to discuss valuation. ????To date, EcoATM has processed between 250,000 and 300,000 devices. The most popular have been Apple (AAPL) products, which command the highest recycling value. RIM (RIMM) devices come next, followed by Androids. ????"I think people have a bit more propensity with Apple products to want the next greatest thing a little faster, but Android is beginning to come on strong," Tullie says. |
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